30-03-2004, 06:19
The camera's panned around the room, showing the expensive decor used in everything the government touched. The curtains were silk, embroidered with gold lining as they stretched from the ceiling to the floor. Hand carved oak chairs and desks filled the room, all made in the Empire itself. Senators and their staff mingled around some, but the sound was a soft grumble of voices. The viewing area above the floor was closed off, one of the few times in history. From the back, the heavy oak doors swung open, revealing two security guards escorting the Preator in. The Senators rose to their feet, and as one voice shouted "Hail to the Preator!"
Taking the stage, Preator Brian Mantz laid out his notes. He felt them unnecessary, as he had the speech memorized. But his advisers said it look better to carry a few papers up, even if nothing was written on them. After taking a sip from the glass by his podium, he looked around the crowd. This would be an interesting speech.
"My fellow Isolationists! I stand before you tonight to inform you about the State of our Glorious Empire. My Citizens, our State is Mighty!!" The roar of applause forced Brian to pause, but this break was expected and had been written to inspire them. Little did they know where this would head. "We are having a great time of peace and prosperity, none that has been seen before in our Empire's history. Yet that does not mean that better times are ahead. Our economy is strong and is the envy of other nations, but it can still be stronger! Our military is unbeaten, yet it still has room to grow! But we have accomplished much recently. The might that is the Isolationist Empire grows with each passing day, and those that do not know us now will hear from us in the near future. The might that is our military strengthens, as more is added and upgraded, making our military one to be feared by all; those who are smaller than us, and those that are bigger; those that are our allies, and most especially, those that are our enemies!" The applause was roaring, and nothing else was heard but the thundering clapping of hundreds of people. "However, we have paid a price. Our previous Preator was an excellent leader, but old age took its toll and took him away. My father led this nation through times of peace, and times of conflict, yet he will be remembered for our prosperity." More expected applause. "But he did have his faults, and I am here now to correct them."
Brian turned a page of his blank notes while spying out the somewhat confused expressions from a few Senators. They really didn't know what was going to happen. He smirked to himself, careful not to do it visibly and spoil his fun. He launched into his speech again:
"Senators, Citizens, Isolationists. This incoming year will bring change to our Empire. As many know and have experienced, our economy is quiet powerful and is very envious. Our trade exports have skyrocketed. Our GNP has risen 17 percent this past year alone. Unemployment has fallen 1.6 percent." Small applause. " All this has been accomplished with relative few changes, but this has produced laziness and has made us not able to compete with other powerful nations. We are becoming a laughing stock to these powerful nations. This must change! We export millions of dollars worth of goods, yet we import millions of dollars worth of goods in. The first change is here. Starting tomorrow, tariffs on imports are to be increased with the proceeds going to government. Taxes on non-Isolationist products will be increased, again proceeds going to government," and into my bank fund thought Brian. "This will make us more reliant upon our own economy and our ability to feed and supply ourselves. The good times may change in the short run, but in the long run this is helpful." Some hesitant applause. The Senators were becoming a little unsure of this.
"We pride ourselves with the face that we have never been in what could be called a major war. Our military is state-of-the-art and crewed by some of the best trained in the world. We pour billions of dollars into our Navy to protect our island Empire, and it has never failed us. Yet our distinct nations and colonies each have a separate military, financed partially by their own regional governmental budget. Previously, this has worked for our Empire, yet it is clear to me that this system will not last, nor is it effective. It creates more paperwork and departments that are totally unnecessary. Billions of extra dollars are spent to provide functions and services that have already been provided, and some of that money is used to buy redundant equipment and supplies. Well, no longer will that be the case. As of today, the new military will be started under the name of the Isolationist Empire Defense and Tactical Force. No longer will we be viewed as pushovers. To increase our military strength, a mandatory draft is hereby instituted, to be run by Chairman of Defense Dominus Mark. The draft will be held once every year. Males ages 10 to 45 are eligible, as well as females ages 20 to 30. Training will be tough and fierce to develop our soldiers, making them able to stand against even the most evil of enemies we may face. Draftees will not be able to choose which military branch they end up in, nor will they have a say in where they will be deployed. If you are called, you will answer that call. Your nation, you Empire, needs all of you!” By now, several of the Senators were moving in their seats, obviously uncomfortable with some of the news that Brian was sharing with them. But he didn’t care. He was the Preator, and they had to do what he said. And if they didn’t, well, that would be their problem.
He continued. “In order to help enforce this draft, the Defense Chairman and I have a solution that we think will make the draft more bearable. Starting tomorrow morning at 10 a.m., what has been the police force of the Isolationist Empire will no longer be in service. Police officers are hereby relieved of their duties as currently stated. However! Men, and women, will rise to take their place. The military is now ordered to ready current troops to organize and be ready to take the place of the departing police officers. From now on, patrolling our streets, hunting down thieves and burglars, stopping speeding cars and busting drug rings will be performed by the respective branches of the military! You citizens will not stand for lawlessness. The Empire will not stand for lawlessness. I will not stand for lawlessness!” Brian glanced out at the crowd. Some faces were horrified.
“There is no other place I’d rather be than as a citizen of our Empire. Born and raised in it, learning about it in school, rising through the ranks to lead it. Literally, a dream come true. And as such, I want nothing more than what is best for our Empire. To make it stronger, better. To make it last. To make it known throughout the world. To have it so that the words ‘Isolationist Empire’ sends chills down people’s spines! Yet there are those amongst us that do not feel that way, nor share the same dream of greatness for our Empire that I have. These people seek to hinder our growth, to make our Empire weak so that it can be brushed aside by others. These people are traitors to the Empire. Yet what have we done so far? We have done nothing to prevent this. My dream, our dream, is in danger and we have done nothing. How can this be? To this, my reply is simple: change is coming. Let it be known from now on, that traitors and spies will receive no rights, no sympathy, nothing from us. They will be taken to cell’s, where we will drain from them anything we can, and then we will get rid of them. It’s as simple as that. We will be watching ourselves more closely than ever before. Some people will complain that it takes away from their freedom, their rights as citizens. I say, if you have nothing to hide, then you should not be afraid. Human rights be damned! If you wish ill towards the Empire, YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS!!” Brian thundered the last part, letting it be known that he meant business. Now, all he had to do was to put the icing on the cake. “In face, there are some in this very room who wish the Empire ill and have offered their services to other nations for the right amount of money. They know who they are, and now everyone else will know too.” As he was speaking, he waved his hand towards the side door, where in strolled a dozen heavily armed marines decked out in full battle armor and weapons. Gasps were heard from around the room as the marines split into two groups of six and headed into different sections of the chamber. As they approached on man, the captain of the marines brought out some handcuffs and pointed towards one man. The man was the Senate Minority Chairman, in his late 40’s. Shock and horror showed on the man’s face, and he sprang out of his seat when he finally realized the marines were coming for him. However, he was too late. As he bolted from his seat, the captain of the marines brought out his pistol, a specially modified .357. The man was dead before he hit the floor. The second group of marines didn’t have any trouble arresting their subject. He was lead out of the room in silence. After the doors were closed, and single loud shot rang out. Then silence.
Brian continued. “That is our resolve, and will be the answer to every spy and dissenter captured amongst us. Traitors will not be tolerated. And as such, to avoid giving other nations ammunition with which to attack us or sway our Citizens opinions, the government is going to control what is heard and said. Free speech is not being repressed; it is just being tweaked so as to make us stronger by not giving others ideas for with which to attack us. No word of disapproval is to be heard or spoken in public or on the airwaves, be it radio or television. Government approval for broadcasts will be needed, but this is just for the small oversight that will be needed to make certain nothing bad will be heard.”
Looking over the crowd, Brian knew he had them. This was just the first step in his plan, yet he had a captive audience. Hundreds were in the room looking at him. Hundreds of millions more were listening in. More would read about it tomorrow in the papers. His dream was slowly becoming a reality.
“Fellow Citizens. Our Empire is mighty, yet we can be even stronger. You may have your doubts now, or they might actually be fears. But I tell you, do not worry. Our Empire will protect you, even while it’s undergoing these changes. We will grow strong. Support from its Citizens is needed. Let us make a better Empire for our children, one in which they have nothing to fear except fear itself. Generation after generation of us has grown up striving for a better life and improving our Empire. All of us have had a dream of making the Empire as strong as it can be. I stand here before you now, as a citizen and as an example of our dreams. Our Empire is mighty, yet we can make it mightier. Support me, and I will lead you there.”
Brian collected his notes and walked off the stage. He didn’t look back at anyone, just looked straight ahead. All he saw was his goal of domination. And he was on his way to fulfilling it.
Taking the stage, Preator Brian Mantz laid out his notes. He felt them unnecessary, as he had the speech memorized. But his advisers said it look better to carry a few papers up, even if nothing was written on them. After taking a sip from the glass by his podium, he looked around the crowd. This would be an interesting speech.
"My fellow Isolationists! I stand before you tonight to inform you about the State of our Glorious Empire. My Citizens, our State is Mighty!!" The roar of applause forced Brian to pause, but this break was expected and had been written to inspire them. Little did they know where this would head. "We are having a great time of peace and prosperity, none that has been seen before in our Empire's history. Yet that does not mean that better times are ahead. Our economy is strong and is the envy of other nations, but it can still be stronger! Our military is unbeaten, yet it still has room to grow! But we have accomplished much recently. The might that is the Isolationist Empire grows with each passing day, and those that do not know us now will hear from us in the near future. The might that is our military strengthens, as more is added and upgraded, making our military one to be feared by all; those who are smaller than us, and those that are bigger; those that are our allies, and most especially, those that are our enemies!" The applause was roaring, and nothing else was heard but the thundering clapping of hundreds of people. "However, we have paid a price. Our previous Preator was an excellent leader, but old age took its toll and took him away. My father led this nation through times of peace, and times of conflict, yet he will be remembered for our prosperity." More expected applause. "But he did have his faults, and I am here now to correct them."
Brian turned a page of his blank notes while spying out the somewhat confused expressions from a few Senators. They really didn't know what was going to happen. He smirked to himself, careful not to do it visibly and spoil his fun. He launched into his speech again:
"Senators, Citizens, Isolationists. This incoming year will bring change to our Empire. As many know and have experienced, our economy is quiet powerful and is very envious. Our trade exports have skyrocketed. Our GNP has risen 17 percent this past year alone. Unemployment has fallen 1.6 percent." Small applause. " All this has been accomplished with relative few changes, but this has produced laziness and has made us not able to compete with other powerful nations. We are becoming a laughing stock to these powerful nations. This must change! We export millions of dollars worth of goods, yet we import millions of dollars worth of goods in. The first change is here. Starting tomorrow, tariffs on imports are to be increased with the proceeds going to government. Taxes on non-Isolationist products will be increased, again proceeds going to government," and into my bank fund thought Brian. "This will make us more reliant upon our own economy and our ability to feed and supply ourselves. The good times may change in the short run, but in the long run this is helpful." Some hesitant applause. The Senators were becoming a little unsure of this.
"We pride ourselves with the face that we have never been in what could be called a major war. Our military is state-of-the-art and crewed by some of the best trained in the world. We pour billions of dollars into our Navy to protect our island Empire, and it has never failed us. Yet our distinct nations and colonies each have a separate military, financed partially by their own regional governmental budget. Previously, this has worked for our Empire, yet it is clear to me that this system will not last, nor is it effective. It creates more paperwork and departments that are totally unnecessary. Billions of extra dollars are spent to provide functions and services that have already been provided, and some of that money is used to buy redundant equipment and supplies. Well, no longer will that be the case. As of today, the new military will be started under the name of the Isolationist Empire Defense and Tactical Force. No longer will we be viewed as pushovers. To increase our military strength, a mandatory draft is hereby instituted, to be run by Chairman of Defense Dominus Mark. The draft will be held once every year. Males ages 10 to 45 are eligible, as well as females ages 20 to 30. Training will be tough and fierce to develop our soldiers, making them able to stand against even the most evil of enemies we may face. Draftees will not be able to choose which military branch they end up in, nor will they have a say in where they will be deployed. If you are called, you will answer that call. Your nation, you Empire, needs all of you!” By now, several of the Senators were moving in their seats, obviously uncomfortable with some of the news that Brian was sharing with them. But he didn’t care. He was the Preator, and they had to do what he said. And if they didn’t, well, that would be their problem.
He continued. “In order to help enforce this draft, the Defense Chairman and I have a solution that we think will make the draft more bearable. Starting tomorrow morning at 10 a.m., what has been the police force of the Isolationist Empire will no longer be in service. Police officers are hereby relieved of their duties as currently stated. However! Men, and women, will rise to take their place. The military is now ordered to ready current troops to organize and be ready to take the place of the departing police officers. From now on, patrolling our streets, hunting down thieves and burglars, stopping speeding cars and busting drug rings will be performed by the respective branches of the military! You citizens will not stand for lawlessness. The Empire will not stand for lawlessness. I will not stand for lawlessness!” Brian glanced out at the crowd. Some faces were horrified.
“There is no other place I’d rather be than as a citizen of our Empire. Born and raised in it, learning about it in school, rising through the ranks to lead it. Literally, a dream come true. And as such, I want nothing more than what is best for our Empire. To make it stronger, better. To make it last. To make it known throughout the world. To have it so that the words ‘Isolationist Empire’ sends chills down people’s spines! Yet there are those amongst us that do not feel that way, nor share the same dream of greatness for our Empire that I have. These people seek to hinder our growth, to make our Empire weak so that it can be brushed aside by others. These people are traitors to the Empire. Yet what have we done so far? We have done nothing to prevent this. My dream, our dream, is in danger and we have done nothing. How can this be? To this, my reply is simple: change is coming. Let it be known from now on, that traitors and spies will receive no rights, no sympathy, nothing from us. They will be taken to cell’s, where we will drain from them anything we can, and then we will get rid of them. It’s as simple as that. We will be watching ourselves more closely than ever before. Some people will complain that it takes away from their freedom, their rights as citizens. I say, if you have nothing to hide, then you should not be afraid. Human rights be damned! If you wish ill towards the Empire, YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS!!” Brian thundered the last part, letting it be known that he meant business. Now, all he had to do was to put the icing on the cake. “In face, there are some in this very room who wish the Empire ill and have offered their services to other nations for the right amount of money. They know who they are, and now everyone else will know too.” As he was speaking, he waved his hand towards the side door, where in strolled a dozen heavily armed marines decked out in full battle armor and weapons. Gasps were heard from around the room as the marines split into two groups of six and headed into different sections of the chamber. As they approached on man, the captain of the marines brought out some handcuffs and pointed towards one man. The man was the Senate Minority Chairman, in his late 40’s. Shock and horror showed on the man’s face, and he sprang out of his seat when he finally realized the marines were coming for him. However, he was too late. As he bolted from his seat, the captain of the marines brought out his pistol, a specially modified .357. The man was dead before he hit the floor. The second group of marines didn’t have any trouble arresting their subject. He was lead out of the room in silence. After the doors were closed, and single loud shot rang out. Then silence.
Brian continued. “That is our resolve, and will be the answer to every spy and dissenter captured amongst us. Traitors will not be tolerated. And as such, to avoid giving other nations ammunition with which to attack us or sway our Citizens opinions, the government is going to control what is heard and said. Free speech is not being repressed; it is just being tweaked so as to make us stronger by not giving others ideas for with which to attack us. No word of disapproval is to be heard or spoken in public or on the airwaves, be it radio or television. Government approval for broadcasts will be needed, but this is just for the small oversight that will be needed to make certain nothing bad will be heard.”
Looking over the crowd, Brian knew he had them. This was just the first step in his plan, yet he had a captive audience. Hundreds were in the room looking at him. Hundreds of millions more were listening in. More would read about it tomorrow in the papers. His dream was slowly becoming a reality.
“Fellow Citizens. Our Empire is mighty, yet we can be even stronger. You may have your doubts now, or they might actually be fears. But I tell you, do not worry. Our Empire will protect you, even while it’s undergoing these changes. We will grow strong. Support from its Citizens is needed. Let us make a better Empire for our children, one in which they have nothing to fear except fear itself. Generation after generation of us has grown up striving for a better life and improving our Empire. All of us have had a dream of making the Empire as strong as it can be. I stand here before you now, as a citizen and as an example of our dreams. Our Empire is mighty, yet we can make it mightier. Support me, and I will lead you there.”
Brian collected his notes and walked off the stage. He didn’t look back at anyone, just looked straight ahead. All he saw was his goal of domination. And he was on his way to fulfilling it.